November 18, 2010
England

Garforth: Wind farm is blown out by plans inquiry

Garforth Today, www.garforthtoday.co.uk 18 November 2010

Campaigners in Garforth are celebrating after controversial wind farm proposals were thrown out by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Durham-based company Banks Renewables appealed to the inspectorate after its application for the scheme on green belt land, pictured, at Hook Moor, near Micklefield was rejected by Leeds City Council in July last year.

Today, though, Banks confirmed that its appeal had failed, with the planning inspector who handled the case deciding it would cause harm to the green belt and its “visual amenities”.

The verdict was welcomed by the Hook Moor Wind Farm Action Group, which spearheaded opposition to the scheme.

Group spokeswoman Carolyn Walker said: “We’re delighted with the outcome – it bears out what we have been saying all along.”

Banks Renewables managing director Phil Dyke said the firm was “extremely disappointed” by the ruling.

The wind farm would have consisted of five propeller-style turbines, each reaching a height of 125 metres (410 feet).

Local residents argued that the site earmarked for the energy-producing scheme was too close to their homes.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/18/garforth-wind-farm-is-blown-out-by-plans-inquiry/